Comptroller

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Comptroller Wage/Hour Status: Exempt

Reports to: Chief of Business, Finance & Administrative Services Pay Grade: AM 8

Dept./School: Business, Finance & Administrative Services Initiated Date: July 2026

WHO WE ARE

La Joya Independent School District (ISD) is committed to excellence for students and our community. We have a strong, 100-year, legacy in the Rio Grande Valley. The district's vision - Educational Excellence: The Right of Every Student - conveys our urgent focus on students.

Our work is rooted in five district priorities, which require collaboration and deep commitment to supporting one another as we serve the community.

• Customer Service
• Trust & Transparency
• High-Quality Instruction
• Excellence in Leadership
• Integrity & Accountability

We are focused on ensuring every student in La Joya ISD has access to a high-quality, best-fit, schools as we work to improve from a B-district to an A-rated district. We serve more than 22,000 students in more than 30 schools and span six municipalities, covering more than 220 square miles.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are seeking an individual who can lead a department with not only strong leadership, but with the knowledge and expertise necessary to successfully organize, direct, and oversee the accounting, purchasing and accounts payable functions of the District. This individual will analyze financial and technical reports, interpret and evaluate staff reports, study and apply applicable laws, regulations, and codes, be responsible for identifying solutions for complex financial and administrative issues, explaining, interpreting and applying District and department policies and procedures.

WHY LA JOYA ISD

You will be joining a district that is building on a legacy of achievement while rapidly improving and creating systems to reach new heights for student outcomes and improving the overall operational efficiency and effectiveness of the District. You will receive intentional, targeted support in your important roll in serving the Business, Finance and Administrative Services Department of the District. We are also a district focused on continuous improvement and rigorous analysis of the policies and procedures we have in place to ensure that the financial and business operations of the District are transparent to the public and in keeping with generally acceptable accounting principles.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Education:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting, or a-related field;

• Master's degree in a relevant field preferred.

• Certification/License: Valid CPA License preferred.

• Experience:

• 5 years' experience in Financial Management, Fund Accounting/School District experience.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of federal, state, and local school accounting regulations.
• Knowledge of theory and practice of accounting and auditing, including governmental, tax and school accounting and auditing; grant financial reporting; budgetary controls; payroll/personnel systems; and financial reporting.
• Skill in collecting, organizing and analyzing complex and/or technical data.
• Skill in completing assignments accurately and with attention to detail.
• Ability to direct and coordinate diversified activities through lower-level managers.
• Ability to perform complex mathematical calculations.
• Ability to work with others under pressure and adhere to tight timelines.
• Ability to use software to create spreadsheets, databases, and do word processing.
• Ability to use software to access databases, email, create spreadsheets, and do word processing.
• Ability to organize and coordinate work.
• Ability to engage in self-evaluation with regard to performance and professional growth.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Strategic Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership for the Division of Financial Operations, including Accounting, Purchasing, and Accounts Payable.
• Develop, implement, and align division goals, priorities, and performance measures with the District Strategic Plan, BFAS Operating System, and Superintendent priorities.
• Develop, implement, and sustain integrated management systems, governance practices, performance measures, standard operating procedures, and monitoring processes that promote operational excellence, accountability, regulatory compliance, and long-term organizational sustainability.
• Advise the Chief on financial operations, organizational risks, system performance, and strategic initiatives.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives that improve organizational effectiveness and support District priorities.
• Represent the division before executive leadership, the Board of Trustees, auditors, governmental agencies, and other external stakeholders.

Financial Stewardship and Governance

• Oversee and ensure the accuracy, transparency, and integrity of all financial activities, including accounting, purchasing, and accounts payable, in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Monitor and manage the district's financial operations, ensuring adherence to internal controls, budgetary compliance, and best practices.
• Develop, implement, and maintain an integrated financial governance framework, including policies, procedures, internal controls, monitoring practices, and governance processes that promote fiscal accountability, operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and long-term organizational sustainability.
• Provide executive oversight of the District''s financial management framework, ensuring accounting standards, treasury operations, financial reporting, internal controls, and regulatory compliance function as an integrated system supporting fiscal stewardship and organizational accountability.

Financial Reporting and Accounting

• Ensure financial reporting systems produce timely, accurate, reliable, and transparent information that supports executive decision-making and organizational accountability.
• Provide executive oversight of the month-end and year-end financial close processes to ensure timely, accurate, and reliable financial reporting.
• Collaborate with PEIMS, Information Technology, Budget, and other departments to ensure financial data reported to state and federal agencies is accurate, complete, and supports required financial reporting.
• Review and verify accuracy of journal entries, accounting methods, and procedures in accordance with GAAP, GASB and TEA's Texas Financial Accountability Recourse Guide.
• Provide executive oversight of financial reimbursement programs, including SHARS, Medicaid Administrative Claiming (MAC), and other reimbursement programs, ensuring accurate reporting, compliance, and revenue maximization.
• Coordinate with bond counsel, financial advisors, rating agencies, and external stakeholders regarding debt issuance, continuing disclosure, and other financial reporting requirements.
• Oversee the District''s treasury, investment, and debt management functions in accordance with the Public Funds Investment Act and Board policy.
• Complete the required periodic training to be one of the District's Investment Officers.
• Oversee the Accounting Director and the duties and responsibilities assigned to that individual.

Purchasing and Procurement Oversight

• Provide executive oversight of procurement operations.
• Oversee the policies and procedures related with purchase of materials and equipment for the district by competitive bids, competitive sealed proposals, requests for proposals, government catalog contract purchases, informal quotations, and negotiations following established district policies and procedures and in compliance with state and federal purchasing rules and regulations.
• Ensure procurement processes are conducted in accordance with applicable laws, Board policy, and District procedures, while providing executive oversight and guidance to the Director of Purchasingl.
• Oversee the evaluation of formal bids and make recommendations for the awarding of contracts to Chief of Business, Finance, and Administrative Services for Board of Education approval, when required.
• Provide executive oversight of strategic vendor relationships and resolve significant procurement issues requiring executive intervention.
• Oversee the Purchasing Supervisor and the duties and responsibilities assigned to that individual.
• Promote collaborative partnerships between Purchasing and district departments to strengthen customer service, procurement planning, regulatory compliance, and organizational effectiveness.

Accounts Payable Oversight

• Provide executive oversight of the District''s Accounts Payable operations, ensuring effective internal controls, timely vendor payments, regulatory compliance, and high-quality customer service.
• Oversee Purchase Order reports to ensure purchases do not exceed the Purchase Order amount and/or the dollar amount of goods and/or services received by and paid to a vendor(s) does not exceed the aggregate amount required for Board of Education approval.
• Resolve escalated accounts payable issues requiring executive review.
• Oversee the Accounts Payable Supervisor and the duties and responsibilities assigned to that individual.

Audit, Compliance, and Internal Controls

• Provide executive leadership for the District''s annual financial and compliance audits, coordinating with internal and external auditors to ensure timely completion, accurate reporting, and successful audit outcomes.
• Develop and maintain an integrated financial governance framework, including policies, procedures, internal controls, monitoring practices, and management routines that promote fiscal accountability, operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and long-term organizational sustainability.
• Develop systematic monitoring processes that identify control weaknesses, evaluate operational effectiveness, assess compliance with applicable laws, regulations, Board policies, and administrative procedures, and ensure corrective actions are implemented, monitored, and sustained.
• Establish and maintain an effective internal control environment that safeguards District assets, strengthens financial stewardship, mitigates organizational risk, and supports transparent and reliable financial operations.
• Monitor emerging federal, state, and local laws, regulations, accounting standards, and financial reporting requirements, ensuring timely implementation of changes affecting Accounting, Purchasing, and Accounts Payable operations.
• Prepare and present executive-level reports, analyses, and recommendations that support informed decision-making, continuous improvement, risk management, and organizational accountability.
• Manage the annual operating budgets for assigned departments and monitor financial performance to ensure efficient use of resources and alignment with District priorities.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement by leveraging audit results, internal reviews, performance measures, and operational assessments to strengthen systems, improve processes, and reduce organizational risk.
• Support the District''s pursuit of excellence in financial reporting and accountability by maintaining practices that contribute to recognition through programs such as the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting and the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST).

Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen financial operations, internal controls, customer service, and organizational effectiveness.
• Develop, implement, and maintain standardized business processes and standard operating procedures that improve consistency, efficiency, accountability, and regulatory compliance.
• Lead automation and technology initiatives that improve efficiency and reporting capabilities.
• Establish performance dashboards and management routines that monitor operational effectiveness, customer service, compliance, financial performance, and progress toward strategic priorities.
• Leverage performance dashboards, management routines, and operational assessments to identify improvement opportunities, reduce organizational risk, strengthen accountability, and enhance operational effectiveness.

Service and Strategic Partnerships

• Develop and maintain collaborative partnerships with campuses, district departments, Cabinet members, governmental agencies, auditors, financial institutions, vendors, and other stakeholders to advance the District''s strategic priorities and strengthen organizational effectiveness.
• Serve as a strategic business partner by providing financial leadership, technical expertise, and proactive guidance that supports sound decision-making, operational excellence, and responsible stewardship of District resources.
• Develop and deliver districtwide training, guidance, and resources related to financial policies, internal controls, procurement, and regulatory compliance to strengthen organizational capacity and promote consistent implementation of best practices.
• Promote shared ownership, accountability, and cross-functional collaboration by facilitating enterprise-wide solutions, reducing organizational silos, and supporting the successful implementation of District initiatives.
• Establish and promote customer service standards that ensure assigned departments provide timely, accurate, transparent, and solution-oriented support to campuses, departments, employees, vendors, and other stakeholders.
• Represent the Business, Finance & Administrative Services Division in meetings with external agencies, auditors, financial institutions, professional organizations, and community partners, as assigned by the Chief of Business, Finance & Administrative Services.

Leadership and Organizational Development

• Provide leadership, coaching, and performance management for assigned Directors and department leaders while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and professional growth.
• Establish clear goals, performance expectations, accountability systems, and routine performance reviews for assigned departments.
• Foster collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Promote succession planning and professional development.
• Build a culture aligned with District values and organizational excellence.

Accountability

The Executive Director/Comptroller is accountable for:

• Providing strategic leadership for Accounting, Purchasing, and Accounts Payable.
• Maintaining accurate, timely, and transparent financial reporting.
• Ensuring compliance with applicable accounting standards, laws, regulations, and Board policies.
• Maintaining effective internal controls and strengthening fiscal governance.
• Coordinating successful financial and compliance audits and implementing corrective actions.
• Establishing and monitoring departmental performance measures, management routines, and operational dashboards that support continuous improvement and informed decision-making.
• Supporting district strategic priorities through sound financial stewardship and operational excellence.
• Developing high-performing leaders and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, customer service, and continuous improvement.

Other Duties

• Work in conjunction with the Executive Director of Payroll and Benefits and the Executive Director of Budget, and Fiscal Oversight for the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the Business and Finance Department.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Safety

• Performs preventive maintenance on tools and equipment and ensures equipment is in safe operating condition.
• Follows established safety procedures and techniques to perform job duties including lifting and climbing; operates tools and equipment according to established safety procedures.
• Corrects unsafe conditions in work area and promptly reports any conditions that are not immediately correctable to supervisor.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Provides direct supervision and performance management for assigned Directors and department leaders. Responsible for hiring, evaluating performance, assigning work, and recommending employment actions in accordance with District policy.

Personal Work Relationships

• All La Joya ISD employees must maintain a commitment to the District's mission, vision, and strategic goals.
• Exhibits high professionalism, standards of conduct and work ethic.
• Demonstrates high quality customer service; builds rapport/relationship with the consumer.
• Demonstrates cultural competence in interactions with others; is respectful of co-workers; communicates and acts as a team player; promotes teamwork; responds and acts appropriately in confrontational situations.

Travel Requirements

• Travels to school district buildings and professional meetings, as required.

Physical & Mental Demands, Work Hazards

• Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment, including computer and peripherals.
• Posture: Prolonged sitting and standing; occasional stooping, squatting, kneeling, bending, pushing/pulling, and twisting.
• Motion: Frequent repetitive hand motions, including keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching.
• Lifting: Occasional light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds).
• Environment: Works in an office setting; may require occasional irregular and/or prolonged hours.
• Attendance: Regular and punctual attendance at the worksite is required for this position.
• Mental Demands: Maintains emotional control under stress; works with frequent interruptions.

Position Working Days:

226 Days

NOTE: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive description of all work requirements and responsibilities, and management reserves the right to revise the job description or require that other responsibilities be performed when the job changes. Additionally, the minimum level of education notated as a requirement could be supplemented by commensurate experience and/or certification(s) or license(s) as determined by the hiring manager.

Employee's Signature: _____ Supervisor's Name: __ __

Employee's ID: Supervisor's Signature: _____

Date: Date: ___